CNET Update: Apple's pricey Mac Pro goes on sale Thursday

CNET Update: Apple's pricey Mac Pro goes on sale Thursday

2:50 /
December 18, 2013

There are still a few tech surprises left for 2013: Apple starts selling Mac Pros, Moto X gets a bamboo backplate, and Roku finally adds YouTube.

There are still a few tech surprises left for 2013.
I'm Bridget Carey, and this is your CNET Update.
The Apple Mac Pro desktop is finally arriving-- barely making it in time for Christmas shopping.
Apple's high-end desktop goes on sale Thursday.
This powerhouse machine starts at $3,000 and it's much lighter than the previous Mac Pros.
This time around, it's all tucked
into a sleek, black cylinder.
It's under 10 inches tall, measuring about 6-1/2 inches across, and weighing 11 pounds.
But that's not all in the world of desktops.
Get ready for Google's Chrome operating system to launch with desktop machines.
Starting with the LG Chrome-based computer, this all-in-one will be on display during the Consumer Electronic Show in January.
Chrome OS only works with Chrome apps.
And it's suitable if you do most of your work online.
LG says the Chrome base
is designed for schools, hotels, and businesses.
We don't have a price yet, but it's likely cheaper than most desktop computers.
Chrome could use some good product news after a rough month.
Shortly after Hewlett-Packard and Google unveiled the new HP Chromebook 11, the laptop was pulled from stores, and the chargers are being recalled and replaced due to reports of overheating.
After waiting for months, Motorola is finally selling the wood backplate as an option for the custom-designed
Moto X smartphone.
But this bamboo backing will cost you an extra $100.
And it won't be delivered until January.
Also in the "I can't believe it took so long" category, YouTube is finally available on the Roku.
We have no idea why it took forever for Roku to add a YouTube channel.
But you can use your phone or tablet now to fling videos from your mobile device to the TV, just like a Chromecast.
Another streaming media player has been updated.
The Samsung HomeSync
will now work with more Android devices, not just Samsung phones and tablets.
It's $300, and it lets owners stream content from a mobile device to a TV even if you're not home.
And it has one terabyte of storage for up to eight accounts for syncing photos, video, and music.
Just in time for your last-minute holiday shopping, Apple now lets you gift an eBook from the iBook store.
Apple let you gift apps and videos and music, but this is the first time that you can gift a
book.
And that's something Amazon has done for years with Kindle eBooks.
That's your tech news update.
And you can get more details at CNET.com/update.
And be sure to follow along on Twitter.
From our studios in New York, I'm Bridget Carey.